Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 28, 2025
09:55
Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
13.0K
Unique and Interactive Relations among Posttraumatic Stress, Distress Tolerance, and Anger Responding to Traumatic
Danielle M Morabito1, Kimberly A Babson1, Christal L Badour2
1National Center for PTSD-Dissemination & Training Division, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA.
Journal of Experimental Psychopathology
|February 12, 2020
Summary
Posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are linked to anger. Distress tolerance moderates this, with higher PTSS correlating with more anger only in individuals with greater distress tolerance.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Trauma Studies
- Emotional Regulation
Background:
- Existing research indicates a connection between posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and anger.
- Further investigation is needed to understand the nuances of this relationship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interplay between PTSS, distress tolerance (DT), and anger responses.
- To examine how DT influences the association between PTSS and anger in trauma-exposed adults.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a sample of 95 adults with a history of trauma exposure.
- Employed a personalized script-driven imagery procedure to assess emotional reactions.
- Conducted hierarchical linear regression and simple slope analyses.
Main Results:
- A significant main effect of PTSS on anger responding was observed.
- A significant interaction effect between PTSS and DT was found.
- PTSS was not associated with anger in individuals low in DT, but positively correlated with anger in those high in DT.
Conclusions:
- Distress tolerance plays a crucial role in modulating anger responses in individuals with PTSS.
- Future research should incorporate DT and other emotional vulnerability factors when assessing PTSD-related anger.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
385
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
385
01:27Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
458
Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
458
01:20Psychological Responses to Stress
431
Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
431
01:20Traumatic Memory
475
Emotionally traumatic events often lead to memories that are exceptionally vivid and enduring, sometimes persisting with remarkable clarity throughout an individual's life. A classic example of this phenomenon is a person who survives a car accident. Even years later, they may recall every detail of the event with startling accuracy — the screeching of the tires, the jarring impact, and the acrid smell of burning rubber. Such vividness contrasts sharply with how an individual...
475
01:20Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused
359
Emotion-focused coping refers to a set of strategies aimed at managing the emotional impact of stressors, rather than directly addressing their causes. This approach involves altering one's emotional response to stressful situations to reduce their psychological effects. For example, individuals might talk with a friend or engage in activities like journaling to express their feelings. Such actions can help achieve emotional clarity or release, providing the psychological stability needed...
359
01:20Lazarus's Cognitive Appraisal Theory
1.5K
Cognitive psychologist Richard Lazarus proposed the cognitive-mediational theory of emotions, which emphasizes how individuals' assessments of stressors significantly affect their experience of stress. According to Lazarus, the stress response is determined by a two-step appraisal process: primary appraisal and secondary appraisal. These cognitive appraisals help individuals evaluate the potential impact of a stressor and determine the adequacy of their coping resources.
Primary Appraisal:...
Primary Appraisal:...
1.5K